This prototype shows my design for using recycled pallet wood as the main material in this table. I hope in the next design to simplify construction and assembly by using a significantly lower number of pallets in the build. 

Now the spool is bigger and stronger, but I'm a little worried about the added momentum from the added weight, it might keep spinning and whip the handle, I'll find out soon.

So when testing the rope stopper (the rectangle with the springs), the handle slammed into it, triggered the main switch, and pulled itself apart. I went home and printed stronger and bulkier parts, and add a pulley to the stopper to pull the main switch if and when the handle makes it all the way back to the puller. (I'm hoping that the user lets go far enough away that the handle doesn't reach the puller, but in case it does, this is a safety feature). I also added a rope guide next to the spool to keep the rope from coming off when not under tension anymore. I'm still thinking of a way to mechanically trigger the low/high speed switch, so I don't know about that just yet.

The bare rope was getting a little tough to hold on to, so I designed and printed one.

So I began testing with 1 battery and after taking some video, measuring floor tiles and doing some math, we were able to figure out the speed of 1 battery to be about 7.7 MPH. I have recently started testing with 2 batteries in series, and the speed as increased by at least twice as much. There were some strength issues with the spool, but I am doing my best to address them. The problems are being caused by the sudden power and acceleration from the 2 batteries, so I need a way to more gently start the motor. I have thought to use 1 battery to start it for 3 seconds and then have the 2nd battery kick in and do the rest. This is going to require a special switch called a DPST (double pole, single throw) switch which will allow me to switch between the 1 battery and 2 battery circuits easily. I'm also going to add a toggle switch to the side so I can arm/disarm it safely.

So the puller is all assembled and I have thought of an ingenius system for controlling it. I have a pulley that rides on top of the rope that pulls on a lever that activates the switch. As you yank the rope, it pulls the pulley upward, it forces the switch on and turns the motor. As the motor pulls, it keeps the rope taught and the switch on... until you let go and it stops itself.

I have purchased 99% of the parts, and I have 3d printed a lot of parts including the motor mount, spool, and rope guide. I’m going to start cutting and assembling the frame next.

My problem was I wanted to be able to ski and practice doing jumps and tricks but my backyard is flat, and the nearest ski resort is an hour away. I decided to build a ski tow/puller that would accelerate me to 25 mph in 100ft so I can jump/grind/turn in my backyard with ease. My prototype is made out of Erector parts and is fully functional of how the final version will work.

Progress:

So far, we have successfully painted the front wall black with chalkboard paint. It's been finished with a layer of chalk and is now in the process of being washed down to prepare it for use.  We are almost finished painting the cabinet wall space white, and we hope to start laying down the tape and painting the triangles next week.  

More materials?

• 2 more gallons of white Behr paint
• 1 pint of purple (TBD)
• 1 pint of blue (TBD)
• 1 pint of green (TBD)
• 1 pint of teal (TBD)
• Paint tray liners